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In Memoriam: Robert Guy Munns

February 18, 1998The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of Captain Robert "Munnsie" Guy Munns February 15, 1998 at his home in East Falmouth. He was 75.

Born February 25, 1922 in Fennimore, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late Rexford T. and Dorothy (Berndt) Munns. Captain Munns was a resident of Falmouth and Woods Hole for nearly 40 years in addition to maintaining a residence in Monaco for five years.

He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines during WWII and was employed by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for about 30 years until his retirement. Captain Munns sailed the worlds' sea as both ship's officer and scientist. He served as Captain or First Mate on several WHOI research vessels, including the Atlantis II, Knorr, Lulu, Caryn, and Chain. Much of the teak woodworking aboard the AII was Captain Munns' handiwork.

In addition, he was a commercial photographer who published many photos and articles describing oceanography performed in the Red Sea and in the Indian ocean. He maintained active memberships in several organizations, including the "Old Salts Lunch Gang".

He is survived by: two daughters; Susan Munns Peters of Larkspur, CO and Patricia Caryn Lambert of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; one son, John B. Munns of Wurtzburg, Germany; two sons-in-laws, David A. Peters and Jeffrey Lambert; four grandchildren, Michael Moore, Daryl Moore, Lisa Deberry, and Julie Thiel, and four great grandchildren, all of the Denver, CO area; four sisters and a brother: Ruth Berggren, Helen Uher, Joyce Clampitt, and Phyllis Zemlicka of Wisconsin and Hilton Munns of Pioneer, CA. He was the brother of the late Keith Munns.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 1998, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the 5th Floor of the Clark Building at the Quisset Campus, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Friends, family, and especially members of the Old Salts are invited to bring their sea stories and an appetite for food and spirits. A private burial at sea has been arranged for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any one of Captain Munns' favorite charities, including the Audobon Society, Mass, the Wellfleet Sanctuary in Wellfleet, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Muscular Dystrophy Society, WGBH Radio, or the American Cancer Society.

February 18, 1998

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